The April 20, 2010 explosion aboard the Deepwater Horizon oil rig killed 11 workers and triggered the largest marine oil spill in history, devastating the Gulf of Mexico for years.

The Disaster

A methane gas blowout caused the explosion, sinking the rig two days later. The Macondo well, 5,000 feet underwater, gushed 210 million gallons (4.9 million barrels) of crude oil over 87 days. BP’s failed containment attempts - the “top kill,” containment dome, “junk shot” - played out on live seafloor cameras watched by millions.

Environmental Catastrophe

Oil slicks covered 68,000 square miles at peak. Over 1,000 miles of coastline were polluted across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. An estimated 82,000 birds, 6,165 sea turtles, and 25,900 marine mammals died. Dolphin deaths in Louisiana spiked 400% and remained elevated for years.

The Cleanup

BP deployed 1.84 million gallons of Corexit dispersant - which broke oil into droplets, making it “disappear” from the surface but potentially more toxic to marine life. Controlled burns ignited surface oil. Over 47,000 workers participated in cleanup. Many later reported health issues - respiratory problems, headaches, chemical exposure.

Economic Impact

The spill devastated Gulf Coast fishing and tourism industries, costing $23 billion in economic losses. BP paid $65 billion total in cleanup costs, fines, and settlements - the largest corporate settlement in U.S. history. Eleven manslaughter charges were filed; two BP executives were indicted but acquitted.

Long-Term Damage

A 2020 study found oil residue still present in Gulf sediments, continuing to harm wildlife. Reproductive failures persisted in fish and dolphin populations. “Dead zones” with low oxygen expanded. The full ecological recovery timeline remains uncertain - possibly decades or centuries.

Source: NOAA Deepwater Horizon